Films with strong messages walk a fine line. When you have an idea that pushes action or activism, it needs to be fully explained. Yet, for movies, that can be difficult for dramatic storytellers to accomplish. Oftentimes, this leaves actors scrambling to communicate rather than perform, and the balance can tip the wrong way. In … Continue reading Review: ‘Blueback’ Showcases Important Ecological Messages But Drags
Review: ‘The Whale’ – Brendan Fraser Cannot Save Darren Aronofsky’s Frustrating Drama
How we seek forgiveness for our actions is important to understanding our moral character. Do we feel like we must bribe those we've offended into forgiveness? Or is there a genuine, thoughtful way to mend our fences? Seeking forgiveness seems to be the heart of The Whale, the latest film from Darren Aronofsky. However, digging … Continue reading Review: ‘The Whale’ – Brendan Fraser Cannot Save Darren Aronofsky’s Frustrating Drama
Review: ‘Aftersun’ Makes for an Intimate Experience, But Walks Well-Worn Territory
Trips to the beach often represent special times with our parents and family. While relaxation may be the goal, there are occasional bursts of excitement or frustration that can manifest themselves on these trips. However, some memorable trips we take with our parents, whether to Disney World or the seaside, become far more impactful as … Continue reading Review: ‘Aftersun’ Makes for an Intimate Experience, But Walks Well-Worn Territory
TIFF 2022: ‘My Imaginary Country’ Dissects 50 Years of Chilean Political History
Director Patricio Guzmán may not be a household name. Yet his documentary series, The Battle of Chile, made him one of the principal figures in capturing Chilean history on film. After being on the ground to capture the beginnings of the Allende revolution and the rise of Pinochet, Guzmán’s more than proved his credibility. Yet … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘My Imaginary Country’ Dissects 50 Years of Chilean Political History
TIFF 22: ‘While We Watched’ Tells an Urgent Tale
The rising tide of nationalism is not a unique event in the global marketplace. In Greece, the Golden Dawn rose to power at an alarming rate. In the United States, the MAGA movement and Trumpism have created deep political rifts. For India, the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become its own hot button … Continue reading TIFF 22: ‘While We Watched’ Tells an Urgent Tale
TIFF 2022: ‘The Umbrella Men’ Delivers a Flawed But Fun Heist Adventure
When jumping into a genre as defined as the heist film, you must bring something unique to the table. In the case of The Umbrella Men, a South African caper from John Barker, we are introduced to an entirely new world. Featuring a unique background in terms of place and style, Barker crafts a fun … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘The Umbrella Men’ Delivers a Flawed But Fun Heist Adventure
TIFF 2022: ‘Fixation’ Puts an Excellent Maddie Hasson Through the Wringer
Looking back at 2022, it will be hard to ignore how many women were gaslit on the big screen. The phenomenon first gained its name from the 1944 noir starring Ingrid Bergman. That film was a cultural sensation, and the phrase has only grown in its colloquial use in the past decade. This rhetoric becomes … Continue reading TIFF 2022: ‘Fixation’ Puts an Excellent Maddie Hasson Through the Wringer